Many people with misdemeanors never take the time out to seek criminal record expungement for various reasons. Those who do go through the trouble are often in for a horrible surprise. The criminal record removal process is filled with pitfalls and misinformation.
At first glance, getting a misdemeanor conviction expunged seems like a pretty painless process. The problem is that many courts do not take it upon themselves to inform background check companies that your record has been “cleared”. This is why many are shocked to find out during the middle of a job interview that their criminal record shows up. As one can imagine, the damage is already done at that point.
That means the battle is not over. To get the job done, a comprehensive review is needed which involves multiple databases so that your past does not appear in background checks. Therefore, criminal record removal is not simple–it’s very tricky. But it often does start with criminal record expungement. Here’s some more information about this topic:
Background Checks are Big Business
Commercial backgrounds screening providers in the U.S. share data about criminal records by selling those records to affiliate companies that also broker consumer information. This is big business. The industry is valued in the billions and is expected to grow.
The bad news is that these companies do not communication with each other very much—leading to records getting overlooked. After all, it only takes one time for a record to appear where you don’t want it. And by then it’s too late. The good news is that when you petition for a criminal record expungement, you are taking a very strong step in changing the official source of your recorded history and letting the law work for your benefit.
Background Screening Agencies Receive Information from Multiple Sources
To make matters worse, criminal records are stored everywhere. Even if you get a court order expunging or sealing your record, the order may never be received by the criminal record database companies because it’s not their job to go looking for your good deeds. To put it simply, they are not in the business of criminal record removal.
A conviction or arrest may be expunged from one government database but still appear in others. Background screeners may acquire records in aggregated files from multiple sources, including from mid-level services that are paid for their reporting, or directly from government agencies.
This is where having experience in a confusing industry counts. Knowing which companies, agencies, and organizations to contact makes all the difference.
Hiding Your Criminal Record: “AKA: Criminal Record Removal”
Knowing how to navigate through this industry is critical—because it has reached proportions that confuse consumers.
Both of the phrases “removal” and “clearing your record” are terms of art. Some services will claims they will “erase” your record. But beware. Without getting too technical, there are some kinds of information that will never be erased. However, that very same data can be transformed so that it’s no longer reportable and will not appear when background checks are ordered on you. Therefore when it comes to criminal records, there are categories of cases that if handled correctly—will not haunt you in the future and you can go on with your life.
There are some companies in the industry who wear more than one hat. This is simply a result of digitization and the growing Information Age. Therefore, the best way to navigate through those businesses is by having someone that has done it before. Criminal record removal, as you can see, is not a one-size fits all challenge.
There are things we can do to help minimize the damage caused by having a criminal record. Having had experience in helping our clients clear their past, we are confident in guiding you to putting your criminal record behind you.
To find out more about criminal record removal, reach out to us and take the first step.
Take the first step in providing us with some information about your case and we will be happy to reach out to you.
Some helpful information for us to consider you case would be the following:
What County your case was/is in?
How long ago did it occur?
Were you granted an Expungement?
Whether or not you are applying for a job?
DISCLAIMER: Please be informed that by submitting your information, an attorney-client relationship is not established. Submitting personal information through this site is only an invitation to discuss possible options regarding a past or current legal matter. Please also know that submitting confidential or time-sensitive information is highly discouraged and preferably shared through real-time communication with an attorney.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EXPUNGEMENTS, CONTACT US ANYTIME:
Criminal Record Expungement
To make matters worse,